Intel Chief ‘Deeply Regrets’ U.K.’s Torture Disclosure, But…

After a British court ruled that the U.K. government has to disclose sensitive information about how the United States tortured a British citizen named Binyam Mohamed whom the U.S. held as a terrorist for years, Dennis Blair, the director of national intelligence, released this statement:

The protection of confidential information is essential to strong, effective security and intelligence cooperation among allies. The decision by a United Kingdom court to release classified information provided by the United States is not helpful, and we deeply regret it.

The United States and the United Kingdom have a long history of close cooperation that relies on mutual respect for the handling of classified information. This court decision creates additional challenges, but our two countries will remain united in our efforts to fight against violent extremist groups.

Marc Ambinder was clearly right to guess that the White House was only bluffing about the Mohamed disclosure limiting U.S.-U.K. intelligence cooperation.